Transcend

T H R E E

Dark skies are above me as I race through a dense forest. I'm panicking, but I don't know what I'm running from. I don't feel fast enough; I trip, stumbling to the ground. Immediately, I whip around to face the sharp fangs of a wolf towering above me. Drool strings from its mouth, and its breath hits my face. It growls and, without a second thought, pounces.

I jolt awake, my breath caught in my chest. I feel sick, but I soon realize it's a dream. I sigh to myself and sit up.

"Who are you?"

A woman sits on the end of my bed, her lean figure sitting poise as her legs cross at her knees. A cup of coffee is in one hand, and in her other is a electronic tablet. Her blond hair is curled in a professional bob, and she's clothed in a grey top and high-waist black dress pants.

"Hello." She stands up and tosses the tablet onto the bed next to me. "My name is Gabriella, but you can call me Ella if you really don't want to say the full thing."

"What are you doing in my suite? This is private quarters of the Manor that requires special clearance."

"Oh, I know. I bypassed all the codes using this." She pulls up a badge with my brother's face on it. How did she get that? "Anyway, I figured the sooner we get you up and ready to go, the sooner we can leave."

It finally clicks in my brain that Gabriella must be the person taking me to the East Alliance. Seven days ago, I became the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life. I couldn't sleep that night, and I had to meet with Luke the next morning and talk it over. I had no idea if what I am choosing to do is the right thing and I still don't; Luke doesn't either. But it doesn't matter now, there's no backing down. Like Luke said, how do you say no to the Supreme Commander when he asks you to basically take over the country because he's dying.

"The Supreme Commander is anxious for you to start. Let's introduce you to your wardrobe. Meanwhile, I'll fill you in on what I know."

~~~~~

"I've been working for your father for a few months now after Mr. Patteneir assigned me to this division. I know the ins and outs of this building and how it operates."

"So you're the one who's been watching me and reporting my every move to the Supreme Commander?"

"One of many, yes." She pulls out a pantone-colored pant and blazer suit from her bag and motions for me to try it on. I take the outfit into the bathroom and put the pants, a black shirt, and the blazer on as she continues to talk through the door. "I was recently assigned to be your personal executive attendant--meaning, I will be your go-to source for anything and everything regarding your mission. I will be traveling with you to begin with until we know that we can trust that you will do what you're supposed to be doing."

I step outside and she immediately fixes the collar of the blazer and smiles. From a suitcase, she removes a pair of black heels. I put them on.

"I've been sent with a very...particular set of instructions regarding your schedule. It's incredibly important that this information stays confidential. Today we are taking the speed rail to Grand Haven where you'll be staying in the Capital building. There aren't any meetings, so it'll give us time to go over a few strategies the Supreme Commander has come up for you. Tomorrow, you will take a tour around the capital from a local tour guide. It's part of the plan to appear interested and personally connected to the citizens, its city, and its leader. You will meet Mason Bentley and his cabinet on Saturday morning. Five days isn't ideal to get things straightened out with you before you begin your alliance with Mr. Bentley, but we will try."